Before You Order a $20K Home Robot, There's Something You Should See - CNET
If that still sounds enticing, preorders are now open (for $200 down). You'll be signing up as an early adopter for what Neo's maker, a California-based company called 1X, is calling a "consumer-ready humanoid." That's opposed to other humanoids under devel...
Key takeaways
Humanoid robotics is seeing a surge of activity across both commercial deployment and investment. On November 20, Agility Robotics reported that its humanoid courier, Digit, completed more than 100,000 tote movements in a live logistics setting, a milestone that underscores the technology’s reliability as manufacturers confront growing labor shortages. The same week, investment flows intensified: Physical Intelligence secured a $600 million round that values the firm at $5.6 billion, while Chinese companies rushed into the sector, with the National Development and Reform Commission noting that over 150 firms are now developing humanoid robots and warning that unchecked growth could create a market bubble. In a high‑profile demonstration of endurance, AgiBot’s A2 humanoid walked 66 miles (106 km) over three days, earning a Guinness World Record and highlighting advances in autonomous navigation and battery life. Meanwhile, the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo (December 3‑6) will feature Huayan Robotics’ new collaborative models, including a 50‑kg payload cobot and a high‑speed sorting unit, reflecting the push toward human‑robot cooperation in manufacturing. On the consumer side, California‑based 1X has opened pre‑orders for Neo, a 5‑ft‑6‑in, $20 K home humanoid that emphasizes privacy safeguards such as voice‑triggered listening and camera blurring, signaling the transition of humanoids from industrial labs to households. Together, these developments illustrate a rapidly expanding ecosystem where performance milestones, record‑setting feats, and hefty financing are driving humanoid robots toward broader commercial and everyday use.
If that still sounds enticing, preorders are now open (for $200 down). You'll be signing up as an early adopter for what Neo's maker, a California-based company called 1X, is calling a "consumer-ready humanoid." That's opposed to other humanoids under development from the likes of Tesla and Figure, which are, for the moment at least, more focused on factory environments. 1X says it's taking steps to protect your privacy: Neo listens only when it recognizes it's being addressed, and its cameras will blur out humans. You can restrict Neo from entering or viewing specific areas of your home, and the robot will never be teleoperated without owner approval, the company says.
But inviting an AI-equipped humanoid to observe your home life isn't a small step. See full bio
Connor Jewiss
4 min read
The robot stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs about as much as a golden retriever and is nearly the price of a brand-new budget car.
This is Neo, the humanoid robot. It's billed as a personal assistant you can talk to and eventually rely on to handle everyday tasks, including loading your dishwasher and folding your laundry.
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